Halloween

The Ultimate Halloween Costume

Tips on how to choose the best decorative color contact lenses

Not just for Halloween, color contacts transform any so-so costume or outfit into a truly eye-catching ensemble. Add a pair of bloodshot eyes to your ragged zombie garb or match your eyes to your favorite turquoise shirt. Do you see 20/20? Don’t worry, even if you don’t require vision correction, you can still wear decorative color contacts to change your look.

However, even if you don’t require prescription lenses – remember you still need a vision prescription to buy fashion contacts. Visit our Sidney eye doctor at Ray Dahl Optical & Optometrists for an eye exam to rule out any preexisting conditions that may interfere with your comfort and eye health when wearing contact lenses. We’ll evaluate your vision and ocular condition, and measure your eyes to prescribe costume contacts with a perfect fit.

Color contacts can be pretty, but they’re not cosmetics

Costume contact lenses, even the ones you only plan to wear on Halloween, are actually categorized as a medical device by the FDA. Contrary to what many people think, fashion lenses are not an over-the-counter item and require a prescription for purchase. All of the online USA vendors and local beauty shops that sell decorative contact lenses without a prescription are illegal. To buy color contacts safely and from an FDA-approved source, visit your eye doctor for a certified prescription.

A prescription ensures a proper fit

Contacts that don’t fit properly can lead to painful vision and even eye injury. To prescribe the ideal contact lenses for you, our Sidney optometrist will measure each eye. We’ll also assess your tear film to make sure your eyes have sufficient natural moisture. Your valid prescription will include a brand-name, your contact lens measurements, lens powers (if needed), and an expiration date.

When you simply insert decorative color contacts for Halloween or any other occasion without visiting an eye doctor first, you are increasing your risk of problems, such as red eyes, a corneal scratch, swelling, or infection. To help keep your vision healthy for as long as possible, visit a qualified eye doctor for a personalized prescription.

Fashion contacts need care

Just like your regular clothing, Halloween costume, and standard contact lenses – decorative color contacts also need to be cared for and handled properly! When our Sidney eye doctor fits you with fashion lenses, we’ll provide clear instructions on how to clean and store your new eyewear. Our optometry staff will also recommend the best disinfectants, eye drops, and solutions to use for your eye health. Neglecting to use the correct solutions can lead to infections.

Looking for decorative color contacts? Visit a professional eye doctor near you for an eye exam and precise contact lenses fitting!

At Ray Dahl Optical & Optometrists, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 250- 655-1122 or book an appointment online to see one of our Sidney eye doctors.

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Wearing Colored Contact Lenses This Halloween? Beware and Take Care!

Countless adults, teens and even children will be wearing colored contact lenses this Halloween, but few are aware of the risks involved. Ever wondered what those cat-eye contacts are doing to your eyes? If you got them without a prescription, beware of health complications.

Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by educating yourself and others about the dangers of wearing colored contact lenses without a prescription.

Why Can Over-The-Counter Colored Contact Lenses Cause Eye Damage?

Contact lenses made to change one’s appearance go by many names: cosmetic, theatrical, Halloween, circle, decorative, colored, or costume contact lenses. While it’s illegal to sell colored contact lenses without a prescription, authorities rarely enforce the law — which means they’re still accessible in many places.

Many people believe that wearing non-prescription color contact lenses can cause no harm. This unfortunate myth has led to many contact lens complications. For instance, when a person feels that a contact lens is “dry”, it could be because the lens is not a good fit. Ideally, the lens should follow the contour of the eye, and stay centered, with enough lens movement to allow tear exchange beneath the lens.

Furthermore, non-medical colored contact lenses are often produced by unlicensed manufacturers that tend to use inferior plastic and toxic materials, such as lead (often used in lens coloring), which can get absorbed through the eyes into the bloodstream. These illegal lenses may also contain high levels of bacteria from unsanitary packaging, shipping, and storage conditions.

Therefore, purchasing any kind of contact lenses without a prescription or medical oversight can result in a variety of eye complications, such as corneal abrasions, eye sores, conjunctivitis, other eye infections, vision impairment and, in rare cases, even permanent vision loss.

Even if you have perfect vision, all contact lenses, including colored contacts, require a prescription and proper fitting by an optometrist.

Contact us at Ray Dahl Optical & Optometrists and make an appointment with Dr. Samantha Bourdeau to get properly examined for a contact lens prescription.

The Dos and Don’ts of Colored Contact Lenses

DO make sure you undergo a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist who will measure your eyes and properly fit you for contact lenses.
DO get a valid prescription that includes the measurements, expiration date and the contact lens brand name.
DO purchase the decorative contact lenses from a reliable retailer (hint: they should demand a prescription.)
DO follow the contact lens hygiene directives (cleaning, inserting and removing lenses) provided by your eye doctor.
DO make sure to undergo follow-up eye exams as directed by your eye care professional.
DON’T ever share contact lenses with anyone else.

So don’t let an eye infection get in the way of your fun this Halloween. Wearing decorative lenses without a valid prescription can result in serious harm to your eyes, which can haunt you long after October 31st.

Get your comprehensive eye exam and contact lens fitting by an eye doctor in Sidney at Ray Dahl Optical & Optometrists.